Acc Briefs - Title Game Has A Familiar Look

ACC Briefs

For the fourth time in five years, the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament final has come to this: Duke vs. North Carolina.

The Blue Devils, defending national champions, won the 1988 ACC final against the Tar Heels. North Carolina beat Duke in 1989 and '91.

This season, the teams split two classic games. The Tar Heels handed the Blue Devils their first defeat of the season, 75-73, Feb. 5 at Chapel Hill. Last Sunday in Durham, Duke survived Hubert Davis' career-high 35 points and won 89-77.

After the first game, North Carolina center Eric Montross wondered aloud how the Blue Devils could be No. 1 nationally when they weren't even No. 1 in their own state.

``I made a comment I felt was correct,'' Montross said Saturday. ``It went back and forth, and a lot of people played it up. ... But the war of words is not what's important.

``Tomorrow is another contest along the line. The NCAA Tournament is still the goal. Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, I think both teams will be excellent in the tournament.''

Last season, Duke rebounded from a 22-point loss to North Carolina in the ACC final to win the national title. `` Brian Davis said we embarrassed them,'' North Carolina reserve center Kevin Salvadori said, ``so I'm sure they'll use that.''

Duke seniors Christian Laettner and Davis have been to three Final Fours, but have never won the ACC Tournament.

Today marks the 31st time in the event's 39 years that the ACC final has had Duke, North Carolina or both.

BACK TO BASICS. Florida State can be an awesome offensive team, but unless the Seminoles start to play some defense, they won't go far in the NCAA Tournament.

Florida State's defense Saturday against North Carolina was too passive as the Tar Heels caught the ball in the low post at will. The Seminoles have the size and athletic ability to play excellent defense.

Edsall cited Edwards for throwing his arm down in disgust. Tucker's technical was for jumping up and down, once, in reaction to a foul call by Horton.

Fred Barakat, the ACC's supervisor of officials, said Edsall and Horton should have shown more ``leniency.''

UNC MYSTIQUE. When asked whether his team had a mental block when it comes to North Carolina, Wake Forest coach Dave Odom took off on a rambling discourse.

``I couldn't tell you,'' Odom said after Wake's loss to North Carolina on Friday, the Deacons' 23rd in the last 24 meetings against the Tar Heels. ``I've never really talked to our players about it. Maybe I should.

``We've got an inordinate number of North Carolinians on our team. Maybe some of them feel slighted. I don't know that. No one ever said that to me. But North Carolina has been a very dominant, overwhelming university in basketball the last 25 years, the last 31 years.''

Dean Smith has coached North Carolina for 31 years.

``That's compounded by our people who say, `I'd rather beat North Carolina than breathe fresh air,' '' Odom said. ``It all comes down on you, and it hurts. That's Dave Odom's hare-brained idea. ...

``I don't think we're by ourselves in this league with the North Carolina, I don't know what you call it, mystique, whatever. The more you talk about, the more you pay homage to something that may or may not be there.''